Binary counting device

ABSTRACT

A device for teaching counting binary numbers (base 2) includes a frame having a plurality grooves with sliders deployed within said grooves. The device bears a plurality of zero indicia, each indicia aligned with one of the grooves. Extending from the slider is a label “1” which overlays the corresponding zero indicia when the slider is moved to a first end of the groove to indicate that its value is operative. Each of the sliders are labelled in binary progression (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.). In use, the device can teach the 0&#39;s and 1&#39;s representation of a decimal base number by correlating the visible 0&#39;s and 1&#39;s on the device with the sum of the numbers displayed on the sliders. In addition to decimal numbers, the device may also be used to convert binary numbers into hexadecimal numbers and other base systems, and to convert binary numbers into text.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/279,866, filed Feb. 19, 2019, for BINARY COUNTING DEVICE, whichclaims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 62/634,946, filed Feb. 26, 2018, for BINARY COUNTING DEVICE,both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A device for teaching counting binary numbers (base 2) includes a framehaving a plurality grooves with sliders deployed within said grooves.The device bears a plurality of zero indicia, each indicia aligned withone of the grooves. Extending from the slider is a label “1” whichoverlays the corresponding zero indicia when the slider is moved to afirst end of the groove to indicate that its value is operative. Each ofthe sliders are labelled in binary progression (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.).In use, the device can teach the 0's and 1's representation of a decimalbase number by correlating the visible 0's and 1's on the device withthe sum of the numbers displayed on the sliders. In addition to decimalnumbers, the device may also be used to convert binary numbers intohexadecimal numbers and other base systems, and to convert binarynumbers into text.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The binary number system (base 2) is an alternative to the decimalnumber system (base 10) commonly used in everyday life. Computingdevices rely on binary numbers and binary math to perform theircalculations. Learning the binary number system is fundamental tounderstanding computer programming, storage of electronic data, Booleanlogic, and other aspects of computer science. It was realized by theinventor that a need exists for a hands-on teaching tool to visuallydemonstrate the relationship between base 2 and base 10 numbers and aidusers in learning the binary number system.

SUMMARY

The disclosed binary counting device addresses these needs and providesmultiple benefits to a user. In some embodiments, the binary countingdevice includes a frame, a plurality of parallel grooves in the frame,each groove including a first end and an opposite second end, aplurality of sliders, each slider being slidably engaged to one of thegrooves, a plurality of first indicia (e.g., “0”s) located on the frame,each of the plurality of first indicia being in proximity to the firstend of one of the plurality of grooves, and a plurality of secondindicia (e.g., “1”s), each located on a slider, wherein the secondindicia overlays the first indicia when the slider is slid to the firstend of the groove.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of the concepts thatare described in further detail in the detailed description and drawingscontained herein. This summary is not intended to identify any primaryor essential features of the claimed subject matter. Some or all of thedescribed features may be present in the corresponding independent ordependent claims, but should not be construed to be a limitation unlessexpressly recited in a particular claim. Each embodiment describedherein is not necessarily intended to address every object describedherein, and each embodiment does not necessarily include each featuredescribed. Other forms, embodiments, objects, advantages, benefits,features, and aspects of the present invention will become apparent toone of skill in the art from the detailed description and drawingscontained herein. Moreover, the various apparatuses and methodsdescribed in this summary section, as well as elsewhere in thisapplication, can be expressed as a large number of differentcombinations and subcombinations. All such useful, novel, and inventivecombinations and subcombinations are contemplated herein, it beingrecognized that the explicit expression of each of these combinations isunnecessary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention will be had uponreference to the following description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A depicts a front perspective view of a rear panel of a firstembodiment of a binary counting device.

FIG. 1B depicts a front view of the rear panel in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C depicts a side view of the rear panel in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A depicts a front perspective view of a front panel of the firstembodiment of a binary counting device.

FIG. 2B depicts a front view of the front panel in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C depicts a side view of the front panel in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 depicts a slider of the first embodiment of a binary countingdevice.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the first embodiment of a binary countingdevice.

FIG. 5 is another front view of the first embodiment of a binarycounting device.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the first embodiment of a binarycounting device.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a second embodiment of a binary countingdevice.

FIG. 8 is another front view of the second embodiment of a binarycounting device.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a third embodiment of a binarycounting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to selected embodimentsillustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended; any alterations andfurther modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments, andany further applications of the principles of the invention asillustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to oneskilled in the art to which the invention relates. At least oneembodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it willbe apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features orsome combinations of features may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

Any reference to “invention” within this document is a reference to anembodiment of a family of inventions, with no single embodimentincluding features that are necessarily included in all embodiments,unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, although there may be referencesto “advantages” provided by some embodiments of the present invention,other embodiments may not include those same advantages, or may includedifferent advantages. Any advantages described herein are not to beconstrued as limiting to any of the claims.

Specific quantities (spatial dimensions, dimensionless parameters, etc.)may be used explicitly or implicitly herein, such specific quantitiesare presented as examples only and are approximate values unlessotherwise indicated. A quantity described as “approximately” or “about”refers to a range of quantities within ±10% of the most precisesignificant digit in the stated quantity unless otherwise specified(e.g., “about 2” refers to 1.9 to 2.1, “about 2.1” refers to 2.09 to2.11, and “about 2.15” refers to 2.149 to 2.151). Discussions pertainingto specific compositions of matter, if present, are presented asexamples only and do not limit the applicability of other compositionsof matter, especially other compositions of matter with similarproperties, unless otherwise indicated.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6 , a first embodiment of a binary counting device10 includes a rear panel 12, a front panel 14, and a plurality ofsliders 16. The rear panel 12 includes a front surface 18, a rearsurface 20, and a top 22, bottom 24, and two opposing sides 26 extendingbetween the front surface 18 and the rear surface 20. In the depictedembodiment, the rear panel 12 is rectangular in shape with a width ofabout 8.0 inches, a height of about 3.5 inches, and a depth of about 0.3inches.

The front panel 14 includes a front surface 28, a rear surface 30, and atop 32, bottom 34, and two opposing sides 36 extending between the frontsurface 28 and the rear surface 30. In the depicted first embodiment,the front panel 14 is rectangular in shape with a width of about 8.0inches, a height of about 3.0 inches, and a depth of about 0.3 inches.The front panel 14 further includes a plurality of elongated, parallelgrooves 38. The front surface 28 includes ten grooves 38 in this firstembodiment, but embodiments with additional or fewer grooves arecontemplated. In particular, embodiments with eight grooves may behelpful to teach the concept of a byte. In the depicted firstembodiment, each groove 38 is about 1.5 inches long and 0.125 incheswide.

The rear panel 12 includes at least one rear panel mounting hole 40 andthe front panel 14 includes at least one front panel mounting hole 42. Afastener 44, such as a screw, may extend serially through the frontpanel mounting hole 40 and into the rear panel mounting hole 42 tosecure the front surface 18 of the rear panel 12 to the rear surface 30of the front panel 14. When attached together, at least one cavity 46 isformed between the front panel 14 and the rear panel 12. In otherembodiments, the front panel 14 and rear panel 12 may be attached byclips, adhesives, snap-fit engagement or other means as known in theart. In further embodiments, the front and rear panels may be formed asa single piece by injection molding or other manufacturing technique.

An embodiment of a slider 16 is depicted in FIG. 3 . In this embodiment,the slider 16 includes a rectangular or square-shaped external portion48, an elongated rectangular internal portion 50, and a relatively thinattachment portion 52 extending between and connecting the externalportion 48 and the internal portion 50. In the depicted embodiment, thelength of the slider 16 is about 0.625 inches and the height is about0.375 inches. The binary counting device 10 includes a plurality ofsliders 16, each slidably engaged with one of the grooves 38. In use, aslider 16 is retained in each of the grooves 38 such that the attachmentportion 52 extends substantially perpendicularly through the groove 38with the external portion 48 external to the groove 38 and the internalportion 50 located within the cavity 46.

The top 32 of the front panel 14 includes at least one opening 54 incommunication with the cavity 46, as most easily seen in FIG. 6 . Eachopening 54 is sized to pass a portion of the internal portion 50 of theslider 16. Each groove 38 includes a first end 56 and an opposite secondend 58, such that the slider 16 engaging the groove 38 is moveable alongthe length of the groove 38 between the ends 56, 58. When a slider 16 ismoved to the first end 56 of the groove 38, a portion of the internalportion 50 of the slider 16 extends out of the opening 54 and is visibleto the user. When the slider 16 is moved away from the first end 56 inthe direction of the second end 58, the internal portion 50 retractsinto the cavity 46 and is substantially obscured from the user's view.

Preferably, each slider 16 is retained at its current location withinthe groove 38 by a friction fit or other means, and requires force to beapplied by a user to move the slider. In some embodiments (not shown),the attachment portion of the slider increases in width as it extendsfrom the external portion to the internal portion. In this embodiment, auser may press the slider into the device, causing the narrower portionof the attachment portion to be aligned with the groove, slide theslider along the groove to a desired location, then cease pressing,causing the slider to move outward and align the wider portion of theattachment portion with the groove, and retaining the slider at thedesired location via a friction fit.

The binary counting device 10 includes first indicia 60, second indicia62, and third indicia 64 to facilitate conversion of decimal numbers tobinary numbers and vice versa. The first indicia 60 are located on thefront surface of the rear panel, each of the first indicia 60 inalignment with the first end 56 of one of the plurality of grooves 38.The first indicia 60 are “zero”, “0”, or corresponding characters inother languages. The second indicia 62 are “one”, “1”, or correspondingcharacters in other languages. These second indicia 62 are located onthe internal portion 50 of each slider. When sliders 16 are located atthe second end 58 of each groove 38, as shown in FIG. 4 , the internalportions 50 of the sliders 16 are substantially obscured and the secondindicia 62 are not easily visible. When at least one slider 16 is movedto the first end 56 of a groove 38, as shown in FIG. 5 , the portion ofthe internal portion 50 bearing the second indicia 62 overlays the firstindicia 60. The third indicia 64 are ordinal numbers in a binaryprogression series (i.e., 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, etc.). A third indicia 64is located on the external portion 48 of each slider 16 in increasingsequential order.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 , a second embodiment of a binarycounting device 110 is displayed. This second embodiment 110 isgenerally similar to the first embodiment 10, but with severaldifferences. In the first embodiment 10, the first end 56 of the groove38 is the near the top 32 of the front panel 114. In this secondembodiment 110, the first end 156 is near the bottom 134 of the frontpanel 114, such that slider 116 is moved toward the bottom 134 of thefront panel 114 to indicate the value on the slider 116 is operative(i.e., the second indicia 162 “1” on the slider 116 overlays the firstindicia 160 “0” near the first 156 end of the groove 138).

Referring now to FIG. 9 , a third embodiment of a binary counting device210 is displayed. This third embodiment 210 is similar to the firstembodiment 10, but further includes a cover 266 attached at the top 222of the rear panel 212 of the device 210. The cover 266 is rotatableabout the top 222 from a first position (not shown) in which the cover266 overlays the front surfaces 218, 226, to a second position shown inFIG. 9 , in which the cover 266 extends downward and behind the device210 to function as a stand. In other embodiment (not shown), a cover maybe attached to and rotatable about the bottom of the rear panel, or maybe attached to the bottom of the front panel. In other embodiments,other forms of covers or stands commonly known in the art may beattached to or incorporated into the binary counting device. In certainembodiments, the binary counting device 210 may include a slot 268 inthe top 222 or elsewhere on the device 210. The slot 268 is configuredto removably receive informational cards (not shown) which explainconversion of decimal numbers or binary numbers to hexadecimal numbers,and display an ASCII table associating hexadecimal numbers with ASCIIcharacters. In this manner, the device 210 may be used to convert binarynumbers into letters/text. In other embodiments, informational cards maydisplay direct conversion of binary and/or decimal numbers into letters(e.g., decimal 1=binary 00001=A, the 1^(st) letter; decimal 20=binary10100=T, the 20^(th) letter). Informational cards may also displayinformation regarding conversion of decimal numbers into binary numbers,octal numbers, hexadecimal numbers, or other numbering formats, or mayprovide other relevant information.

The disclosed binary counting device may be used to convert a decimalnumber to a binary number. Using FIGS. 4 and 5 as an example, initially,as shown in FIG. 4 , none of the sliders 16 are positioned at the firstend 56 of the grooves 38 and all of the first indicia 64 are visible.The user selects a decimal number such as, for example, “21”. The userthen moves sliders 16 to the first ends 56 of the grooves 38 such thatthe summation of the third indicia 64 of the moved sliders 16 equals theselected decimal number. As shown in FIG. 5 , the sliders 16 labeledwith third indicia “16”, “4” and “1” have been moved to the first end 56of their respective grooves 38. Upon moving the sliders 16, the secondindicia 62 “1”s on the moved sliders 16 overlay the first indicia 60“0”s displayed on the rear panel 12. The entirety of the visible firstindicia 60 and second indicia 62 display the binary number “10101”(ignoring the leading zeros) which is equal to the decimal number “21”.

FIGS. 7 and 8 provide another example of using the disclosed binarycounting device 110 to convert a decimal number to a binary number.Initially, as shown in FIG. 7 none of the sliders 116 are positioned atthe first end 156 of the grooves 138 and all of the first indicia 160are visible. The user selects a decimal number such as, for example,“41”. The user then moves sliders 116 to the first end 156 of thegrooves 138 such that the summation of the third indicia 164 of themoved sliders 116 equals the selected decimal number. As shown in FIG. 8, the sliders 116 labeled “32”, “8” and “1” have been moved to the firstend 156 of their respective grooves 138. Upon moving the sliders 116,the “1”s on the moved sliders 116 overlay the “0”s displayed on the rearpanel 112. The entirety of the visible first indicia 160 and secondindicia 162 display the binary number “101001” (ignoring the leadingzeros) which is equal to the decimal number “41”.

The disclosed binary counting device may also be used to convert abinary number to a decimal number. Initially, as shown in FIG. 4 , noneof the sliders 16 are positioned at the first end 56 of the grooves 38and all of the first indicia 60 are visible. The user selects a binarynumber such as, for example, “10101”. The user then moves sliders 16 tothe first ends 56 of the grooves 38 as shown in FIG. 5 such that theentirety of the visible first indicia 60 and second indicia 62 displaythe selected binary number. The summation of the third indicia 64 on themoved sliders (16+4+1=21) is the decimal number equal to the selectedbinary number.

The disclosed binary counting device may also be used to convert binarynumbers and decimal numbers into hexadecimal numbers (base 16). Thefront surface 28 of the front panel 14 includes sorting indicia 68 usedto divide grooves 38 and their respective first, second and thirdindicia 60, 62, 64 into groups of four, starting with the smallestdigit. Using FIG. 5 as an example, the displayed binary number “10101”is divided into two groups of four digits each, adding leading zeros, to“0001” and “0101.” Each digit is assigned its respective power of two(e.g., 1, 2, 4, or 8), and added together, such that “0101” is equal to8*0+41+2*0+1*1=5 and “0001” is equal to 8*0+4*0+2*0+1*1=1. Numbersgreater than 9 are represented as letters, as 10=A, 11=B, 12=C, 13=D,14=E and 15=F. As such, “10101” in binary is equal to “15” inhexadecimal and, and described above, is also equal to “21” in decimalnumbers.

FIG. 8 provides another example of using the binary counting device toconvert a binary number into a hexadecimal number. In the depictedsecond embodiment 110, the front surface 118 of the rear panel 112includes sorting indicia 168 used to divide first, second and thirdindicia 160, 162, 164 into groups of four, starting with the smallestdigit. The displayed binary number “101001” is divided into two groupsof four digits each, adding leading zeros, to “0010” and “1001.” Eachdigit is assigned its respective power of two (e.g., 1, 2, 4, or 8), andadded together, such that “1001” is equal to 81+4*0+2*0+11=9 and “0010”is equal to 8*0+4*0++1*0=2. As such, “101001” in binary is equal to “29”in hexadecimal.

The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness ofunderstanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understoodtherefrom, for modifications can be made by those skilled in the artupon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention. Although specific spatial dimensions are statedherein, such specific quantities are presented as examples only.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising, a frame defining a cavity,and at least one opening in communication with the cavity; a pluralityof groove-slider combinations, each of the plurality of groove-slidercombinations including a groove in the frame, the groove including afirst end and an opposite second end, a slider being moveably engaged tothe groove, the slider including an external portion external to thecavity, an internal portion at least partially within the cavity, and anattachment portion extending through the groove between the externalportion and the internal portion, a numerical first indicia located onthe frame in proximity to the first end of the groove, a numericalsecond indicia located on the internal portion of the slider, and anumerical third indicia located on the external portion of the slider;wherein the second indicia overlays the first indicia when the slider ismoved to the first end of the groove.
 2. The device of claim 1, whereinthe first indicia is either (i) “zero” or “0” or (ii) “one” or 1”. 3.The device of claim 2, wherein the second indicia is the other of (i)“zero” or “0” or (ii) “one” or 1”.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein thethird indicia is an ordinal number in a binary progression series. 5.The device of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a front panel and arear panel, the front panel and rear panel being attached together;wherein the cavity is defined between the front panel and the rearpanel; and wherein the groove is in the front panel.
 6. The device ofclaim 5, wherein the front panel includes a front surface, an oppositerear surface, and a top, a bottom, and at least one side extendingbetween the front surface and the rear surface.
 7. The device of claim6, wherein the at least one opening is formed in the top of the frontpanel or the bottom of the front panel.
 8. The device of claim 6,wherein the rear panel includes a front surface, an opposite rearsurface, and a top, a bottom, and at least one side extending betweenthe front surface and the rear surface; and Wherein the rear surface ofthe front panel is attached to the front surface of the rear panel. 9.The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the internal portion of theslider extends through the at least one opening when the slider is movedto the first end of the groove.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein thesecond indicia is located on the portion of the internal portion of theslider that extends through the opening when the slider is moved to thefirst end of the groove.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the grooveof any one of the plurality of groove-slider combinations is parallel tothe groove of any of the plurality of groove-slider combinations. 12.The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion of the sliderincreases in width as the attachment portion extends from the externalportion to the internal portion.
 13. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising sorting indicia designating the plurality of groove-slidercombinations into at least one group, wherein each group includes fourgroove-slider combinations.
 14. A method of converting a binary numberto a hexadecimal number, comprising: providing a device according toclaim 13; selecting a binary number; moving, in at least one of theplurality of groove-slider combinations in the at least one group, theslider to the first end of the groove such that the second indicia onthe moved slider in the at least one of the plurality of groove-slidercombinations in the at least one group and the first indicia notoverlaid by the second indicia on the moved slider in the at least oneof the plurality of groove-slider combinations in the at least one grouprepresent the selected binary number; and assigning, in each group inthe at least one group, the groove-slider combination in the pluralityof groove-slider combinations with the lowest numerical third indiciathe number “1”, the groove-slider combination in the plurality ofgroove-slider combinations with the next lowest numerical third indiciathe number “2”, the groove-slider combination in the plurality ofgroove-slider combinations with the next lowest numerical third indiciathe number “4”, and the groove-slider combination in the plurality ofgroove-slider combinations with the highest numerical third indicia thenumber “8”; wherein summation, in each group in the at least one group,of the assigned numbers for each moved slider in the at least one of theplurality of groove-slider combinations represents a digit of ahexadecimal number equal to the selected binary number.
 15. A method ofconverting a decimal number to a hexadecimal number, comprising:providing a device according to claim 13; selecting a decimal number;moving, in at least one of the plurality of groove-slider combinationsin the at least one group, the slider to the first end of the groovesuch that summation of the third indicia on the moved slider in the atleast one of the plurality of groove-slider combinations equals theselected decimal number; and assigning, in each group in the at leastone group, the groove-slider combination in the plurality ofgroove-slider combinations with the lowest numerical third indicia thenumber “1”, the groove-slider combination in the plurality ofgroove-slider combinations with the next lowest numerical third indiciathe number “2”, the groove-slider combination in the plurality ofgroove-slider combinations with the next lowest numerical third indiciathe number “4”, and the groove-slider combination in the plurality ofgroove-slider combinations with the highest numerical third indicia thenumber “8”; wherein summation, in each group in the at least one group,of the assigned numbers for each moved slider in the at least one of theplurality of groove-slider combinations represents a digit of ahexadecimal number equal to the selected decimal number.
 16. A method ofconverting a hexadecimal number to a binary number, comprising:providing a device according to claim 13; selecting a hexadecimalnumber; assigning, in each group in the at least one group, thegroove-slider combination in the plurality of groove-slider combinationswith the lowest numerical third indicia the number “1”, thegroove-slider combination in the plurality of groove-slider combinationswith the next lowest numerical third indicia the number “2”, thegroove-slider combination in the plurality of groove-slider combinationswith the next lowest numerical third indicia the number “4”, and thegroove-slider combination in the plurality of groove-slider combinationswith the highest numerical third indicia the number “8”; and moving, inat least one of the plurality of groove-slider combinations in the atleast one group, the slider to the first end of the groove such thatsummation of the assigned numbers of the moved slider in the at leastone the plurality of groove-slider combinations is equal to a digit inthe selected hexadecimal number; wherein the second indicia on the movedsliders in the at least one of the plurality of groove-slidercombinations and the first indicia not overlaid by the second indicia onthe moved sliders in the at least one of the plurality of groove-slidercombinations represent a binary number equal to the selected hexadecimalnumber.
 17. A method of converting a hexadecimal number to a decimalnumber, comprising: providing a device according to claim 13; selectinga hexadecimal number; assigning, in each group in the at least onegroup, the groove-slider combination in the plurality of groove-slidercombinations with the lowest numerical third indicia the number “1”, thegroove-slider combination in the plurality of groove-slider combinationswith the next lowest numerical third indicia the number “2”, thegroove-slider combination in the plurality of groove-slider combinationswith the next lowest numerical third indicia the number “4”, and thegroove-slider combination in the plurality of groove-slider combinationswith the highest numerical third indicia the number “8”; and moving, inat least one of the plurality of groove-slider combinations in the atleast one group, the slider to the first end of the groove such thatsummation of the assigned numbers of the moved slider in the at leastone the plurality of groove-slider combinations is equal to a digit inthe selected hexadecimal number; wherein summation of the third indiciaon the moved sliders in the at least one of the plurality ofgroove-slider combinations represent a decimal number equal to theselected hexadecimal number.